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Chronicling Resistance, Enabling Resistance

Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries
"Chronicling Resistance, Enabling Resistance," Nancy Michael Shulkaitis Papers, documents of resistance to Federal declarations and efforts to stop the Tocks Island Dam, Lehigh University SC MS 0238. Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries.  
"Chronicling Resistance, Enabling Resistance," Nancy Michael Shulkaitis Papers, documents of resistance to Federal declarations and efforts to stop the Tocks Island Dam, Lehigh University SC MS 0238. Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries.  
"Chronicling Resistance, Enabling Resistance," Temple University Special Collections Research Center Occupy Philadelphia records, 2011, digital images and flyers documenting Occupy Philadelphia. Photos courtesy of Occupy Philadelphia Archives Committee, Occupy Philadelphia Records, and TULSCRC. 
"Chronicling Resistance, Enabling Resistance," Temple University Special Collections Research Center Occupy Philadelphia records, 2011, digital images and flyers documenting Occupy Philadelphia. Photos courtesy of Occupy Philadelphia Archives Committee, Occupy Philadelphia Records, and TULSCRC. 
"Chronicling Resistance, Enabling Resistance," Marian Anderson Collection of Photographs, Ms. Coll. 198 (five images), 1898-1992. Photos courtesy of University of Pennsylvania Libraries.University of Pennsylvania Libraries.
"Chronicling Resistance, Enabling Resistance," Marian Anderson Collection of Photographs, Ms. Coll. 198 (five images), 1898-1992. Photos courtesy of University of Pennsylvania Libraries.University of Pennsylvania Libraries.

Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries (PACSCL) will embark on a discovery process exploring new methods for telling the stories of Philadelphia’s rich heritage of resistance, and surfacing little-known materials held in special collections. Through guided discussions, listening events, town halls, and larger public events, PACSCL seeks to create a dialogue between its 38 member libraries—which include university libraries, government archives, and Philadelphia’s public library system—and communities of activists, teachers, students, and journalists, to give voice to both historical and current grassroots movements in ways that the consortium’s institutions traditionally have not. The historical and cultural materials within PACSCL members’ collections document three centuries of activism, from groups working to abolish slavery to the recent Occupy Philadelphia public demonstrations around issues of economic inequality. The discovery project will consider how to make these materials accessible to a broader audience and will culminate with a public event that encourages attendees to consider themselves partners in chronicling resistance movements in the 21st century and beyond.

Additional unrestricted funds are added to each grant for general operating support.

Recipient

Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries

The 38 member libraries and archives of the Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries (PACSCL) collect, care for, and share rich collections of internationally significant materials with a worldwide audience. The collections of PACSCL member libraries—which include university libraries, independent research libraries, government archives, and Philadelphia’s public library system—contain more than 4 million rare books, 260,000 linear feet of manuscripts and archival materials, and 9 million photographs, maps, architectural drawings, and works of art on paper. With a mission to “encourage scholars, educators, and other diverse audiences to explore and engage with member institutions’ uniquely rich holdings,” the organization develops projects and programs to benefit member institutions and their diverse constituencies and to build the professional capacity of librarians and archivists. In 2018, PACSCL received a Center Discovery grant to explore new methods for telling the stories of Philadelphia’s rich heritage of resistance by broadening accessibility to little-known documents held in the collections of 38 member libraries.

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News

The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage Announces 2018 Grants for Philadelphia Artists, Organizations

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